How to Recycle Laser Toner
Not only is toner cartridge recycling free and environmentally friendly, some programs pay you for recycling the toner. Only empty toner cartridges can be recycled. Earth911 notes that refurbishing and refilling toner cartridges saves 80 percent energy instead of creating new ones. Most toner cartridges can be reused or recycled. Furthermore, the re-manufacturing process for laser cartridges uses nearly 50 percent less oil, according to Earth911.
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Instructions
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Pull open the door to your printer. Then remove the empty toner from the printer by pulling it out.
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Open the new toner box and pull out your plastic-wrapped toner cartridge and papers, including a shipping label that you'll use later. Tear open the plastic packaging and remove the toner. Do not discard any packaging materials.
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Insert your new laser cartridge into the printer and close the printer door.
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Wrap the old toner in the plastic packaging that held your new cartridge and place the empty toner back in the box that held the new cartridge.
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Seal the box with shipping tape.
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Return the empty toner to the company using the shipping label that came in the laser toner box, which you saved earlier . Drop it off at your local post office or shipper drop box, following the instructions on the label (some companies use different shippers).
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Tips & Warnings
You can bring empty laser toner cartridges to your local office supply store, such as Staples, Office Depot or Best Buy. As of July 2010, Office Depot issues a $3 rebate per laser toner returned and Staples issues a $2 rebate per toner returned. Alternately, package your cartridges and mail them to a mail-back return program. Earth911 recommends Laser Save, American Laser Recharge, and Eco Charge, among other programs (see Resources).
References
Resources
- Photo Credit a blue recycle symbol image by wayne ruston from Fotolia.com
